SMHC vs. GDX

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

SMHC (VanEck China Semiconductor ETF) and GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SMHC is a China Equities fund tracking the MarketVector China Semiconductor 25 Index, while GDX is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SMHC charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for GDX.

Performance

SMHC vs. GDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck China Semiconductor ETF (SMHC) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

SMHC

• 1D: -6.17%
• 1M: —
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GDX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: -13.56%
• 6M: -26.66%
• YTD: -16.85%
• 1Y: 40.50%
• 3Y*: 31.31%
• 5Y*: 17.64%
• 10Y*: 10.24%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SMHC vs. GDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
SMHC VanEck China Semiconductor ETF	-15.04%
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	-8.16%

Correlation

The correlation between SMHC and GDX is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 24, 2026	0.17

Return for Risk

SMHC vs. GDX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

SMHC

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

GDX

GDX Risk / Return Rank: 27
GDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
GDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
GDX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
GDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
GDX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

SMHC vs. GDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck China Semiconductor ETF (SMHC) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	SMHC	GDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	0.84	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.29	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.17	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	1.05	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	2.44	—

Drawdowns

SMHC vs. GDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMHC drawdown since its inception was -24.16%, smaller than the maximum GDX drawdown of -80.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMHC and GDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMHC	GDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.16%	-80.34%	+56.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-38.43%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-38.43%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-46.51%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-49.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.16%	-38.43%	+14.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.02%	-40.38%	+31.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	16.52%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SMHC	GDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	11.45%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	39.98%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	80.83%	48.15%	+32.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	80.83%	37.07%	+43.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	80.83%	37.37%	+43.46%

SMHC vs. GDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMHC has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than GDX's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMHC vs. GDX - Dividend Comparison

SMHC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while GDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	0.89%	0.74%	1.19%	1.61%	1.66%	1.67%	0.53%	0.67%	0.50%	0.76%	0.26%	0.85%
SMHC VanEck China Semiconductor ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMHC and GDX in my portfolio?

SMHC and GDX have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, SMHC or GDX?

On fees, GDX is cheaper at 0.51% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMHC or GDX?

GDX is cheaper with a 0.51% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for SMHC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SMHC or GDX?

GDX has the higher dividend yield at 0.89%, compared with 0.00% for SMHC.

What is the main difference between SMHC and GDX?

SMHC is categorized as China Equities, while GDX is Gold. SMHC tracks MarketVector China Semiconductor 25 Index, while GDX tracks NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for SMHC and 0.51% for GDX.